Former Swakopmund Mayor Rosina //Hoabes has taken up her new role as Namibia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Korea.

According to the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in Japan, Ambassador //Hoabes officially assumed her appointment on 7 January 2026 after being commissioned on 8 December 2025. Well known in the Erongo Region, //Hoabes has built an extensive career in local government, education and politics.

During her time at the Swakopmund Municipality, she served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Management Committee. She has also represented Namibia in local and international organisations, including the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Before her diplomatic appointment, //Hoabes served as Deputy Director of Rural Development at the Erongo Regional Council from 2006 to 2020. She also served as a District Coordinator and Central Committee member of the SWAPO Party Women’s Council. Ambassador //Hoabes holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (M.Ed.), a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), as well as several other qualifications.

By Eileen van der Schyff